Numbering-machine.



PATENTQED MAR. 24, 1908.

w. c. nowume. NUMBERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APB. 111907.

3. SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\ PATENTBD MAR. 24, 1908.

w. c. DOWNING.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 1,1507.

.3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

*a transverse section on line 3, Fig. 2.

WILLIAM G. DOWNING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NUMBERING-MA CHINE.

Application filed April 1, 1907.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 24, 1908.

Serial No. 365,870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. DOWNING, citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in a Numbering-Machine, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to numbering machines of the class set forth inmy Letters Patent No. 829,260, August 21, 1906; and has for its objectto provide the device therein set forth with a number of improvedfeaturles as will be hereinafter set forth in detai In the drawings,Figure 1 is a view in perspective looking at the rear side of themachine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is Figs. 4:, 5, 6 and 7 aredetached detail views of the different relative positions of thecompanion ratchet-wheels and actuating pawls. Figs. 8 and 9 are detailsof means for locking the actuating mechanism when. the same number is tobe repeated indefinitely. Figs. 10 and 11 are details of the meansemployed in controlling the action and position of the inking-pad. Fig.12 is a View in perspective of the vertically moving frame' carrying theprinting mechanism. Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of the inkingpad-holder. Fig. 1 1 is an end elevation of the frame and padholderintheir assembled Working position; and Fig. 15 is a detached view ofthe actuating pawls.

The principal parts set forth in the patent herein noted, will not bedescribed in detail, reference being made only to such parts ascooperate with the improved features constituting the subject matter ofthis application.

A represents a casing inclosing and supportin the working mechanism.This casing wilI ordinarily be composed of metal and may be of anydesign or contour best adapted for the purpose.

The numbering disk-wheels 16, (Figs. 2 and 3) are loosely mounted on anon-rotatable axial shaft 17 the respective ends of which are rigidlysecured in a reciprocating frame 18 consisting of the vertical end-bars19 and .20 and the connecting bridge-part 21, forming an integralstructure as best shown in Fig. 12. The ends of the shaft 17 projectthrough the end bars of the frame and have friction-rollers 22 and 23loosely mounted thereon. The respective ends of the casing are providedinteriorly with a wide shallow recess D disposed vertically and in whichthe friction rollers seat and serve to ease the up and down movement ofthe frame-part in practical working. The down movement of the printingmechanism is effected by a pressure on the hand grasp 24, mounted on theupper end of a stem 25 inclosed in a sleeve or tube 26 and having itslower end fixed in the bridge-part of the frame 18, as best shown inFig. 12. When the actuating pressure on the hand-grasp is relaxed thenumbering disks are automatically returned to their highest or normalposition by means of a spring coiled on said stem but not shown in thisinstance.

The governing ratchet-wheel 27 and the movement ratchet-wheel 28 arerotatably mounted on their axial shaft 17. A awl or pivot shaft 29 hasits respective en s journaled in the casing on the front side of themachine, a cam C being rigidly mounted on the shaft 29. The outer end ofa pawl 30 is loosely connected with the cam O, the free end extendinginward in position to engage the teeth in the governin ratchet-wheel. Apawl 31 has its pivota end mounted on shaft 29, the free end beingadapted to engage the teeth in the movement ratchet wheel 28, all ofwhich are of the same construction and have the same operation as in theatent herein referred to.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are designed to illustrate the relative osition ofthe pawls and the ratchet-whee s in the different operations. Thegoverning ratchet-Wheel has notches between the teeth of a variabledepth, and the movement ratchet-wheel notches of a uniform depth.

When the adjustable indicator-finger 32 is in the position shown in Fig.1, the operation is consecutive and to which Fig. 4 corresponds. Movingthe finger to engage a erture 2 is the duplicating position to whichFig. 5 corres onds. Moving the finger to aperture 4 in icates the quadrule position to which Fig. 6 corresponds. liioving the finger to engageaperturesS indicates the octuple position to which Fig. 7 corresponds.The different engaged positions of the pawl 30 with the governingratchet-wheel are indicated by dotted circular lines in Fig. 4,beginning with the outer line a indicating the consecutive position, thenext line the du licating position b and so on in regular 1 orc er.

It will be understood that by the use of a ratchet-wheel having notchesof different depths, the machine may be made to re eat a number of timeswith each position 0 the indicator finger 32, either by cutting deepernotches or by using two or more ratchetwheels with a different number ofteeth and notches between, as for example. Two ratchet-wheels, onehaving seven teeth and the other eight teeth with one deep notch in eachwheel would re eat fifty six times and then automatically 0 ange to thenext highest number. With two dee notches in the eight tooth wheel itwould repeat twenty eight times, and with four deep notches the samenumber would be repeated fourteen times and then again automaticallychange to the next higher number.

One of the improved features provides a means for holding the pawlsactuating the ratchet-wheels 27 and 28 out of engagement therefrom sothat the same number may be repeated indefinitely, as will be nextdescribed.

A rod 33 is inserted through the upper part of the casing and is movablysupported in the respective ends thereof, as best shown in Fig. 8. Thisrod has the u per end of a plate 34 mounted thereon, anc has both anendwise and a turning movement. This plate is bifurcated at its lowerend (Figs. 8 and 9) and extends downward close against the inside of thecasing to an o ening 35 therein as best shown in Fig. 2. no prongend ofthe plate extends outward through the opening 35 and is bent upward toform a hook-end 36 which lies close against the outer side of the casingand forms a retaining guide in providing for a slight lateral movementof the plate from one of its ositions to the other. The other prong en37 of the plate 34 extends downward in position to be moved into linewith the movement pawl 31 and at the proper time engage a shoulder 38formed thereon and hold the pawls out of engagement from their workingposition against the pressure of the spring 39. This disengagement ofthe pawls is effected by a proper manipulation of the rod 33, the objectof which is to set the machine so that the ratchet-wheels and rintingdisks will remain stationary and permit of the same number beingrepeated indefinitely. By this arrangement the device may be convertedfrom an automatic into a non-automatic machine, thereby obtaining thesame I downward the inking pad holder is alsoresult as that of the levermachine now in general use.

The outer part of rod 33 is somewhat enlarged and has a finger gras 40-fixed on the projecting end thereof, as s own in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9. Apin 45 is rigidly fixed in the tachment in this position.

, gagement with shoulder 38. I finger-grasp toward the front of themachine casing and seats in recess 42 between said shoulders. A groove46 is also formed in away from the casing as shown in Figs. 1, 2

and 8, the machine is set to repeat as indicated by the arrow (Fig. 1)pointing to the word Repeat indicated on the casing. In this positionthe prong end 37 of plate 34 is in engagement with the shoulder 38 ofpawl 31 and holds both pawls down in the disengaged position shown inFig. 3. The pressure of the spring 47 holds the repeating at- Bypressing the finger-grasp inward against the casing the prong 37 ismoved laterally away out of en- Then turn the which will bring thegroove 46 in engagement with pin 45 and lock the repeating mechanism outof engagement. It will be understood that the numbering or printingmechanism must be in its lowermost position to back far enough to permitof the prong end 37 moving in back of the same and prevent the free endsof the pawls from following the up movement of the numbering mechanism.It will also be understood that the pawls 30 and 31 are thenautomatically returned to their normal engaged working position by thespring 39 on the pawl shaft.

The inking pad-holder 48 (Fig. 13) comprises a bottom-plate 49, a part50 turned upward at right angles thereto and the flange-d ends 51 and52, the rounded portion of which project out through the casing at therear side, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 10 and 11. The holder is movablyretained in place by pivot-pins 53 inserted through the casing from eachend.

The end plates 51 and 52- are each provided with a notch 54 having anoverhanging hooked-ge 55. The frame end bars 19 and 20 corresponding tothe endbars 18 and 19 of the patent herein referred to, are each rovidedadjacent to their lower ends with ugs 56 and 57 which are held in looseengagement moved downward and then swung outward out of the way by meansof the lugs 56. and 57 the contact of which returns the inking-padholderto its normal position.

The integral end plate 51 of the pad-holder is provided in its upperedge with a notch 58 and a stop shoulder 59, the metal being cut awaybetween said notch and shoulder in forming the latter, as shown in Figs.1, 3, 10, 11 and 13. One end of a movable latch 60 is ivoted to thecasing as at 61. The opposite ee end of this latch carries a pin 62adapted to engage either one of a number of apertures 63 in retainingthe same in any of the different positions to which the latch maybemoved.

When the latch is in the middle position (Fig. 1) it is up out ofengagement from the notch 58 and the pad-holder is free to move in itsworking position, the outward movement of the same being limited. by theshoulder 59 coming to a stop against the latch 60. The pad-holder may beraised up to the high position shown in Fig. 14 and indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 10, and the same temporarily held in that position for thepurpose of inking the pad, or in providing an opening affordingconvenient access to the rinting disks when it is necessary to change te number by hand in resetting the machine to start at number one or anyother number. The pad-holder is held in this highest out of the wayposition by the lug 56 engaging a shallow recess 64 formed in the endplate 52 of the holder. This recess 64 is shown in Figs. 1, 1.3 and whenthe holder is in its highest position. the recess is in the engagedposit1on corresponding to the position of the lug indicated in Figs. 10,14. In this osition the numbering disks rest at a oint just above thebottom plate 49. A sight ressure on the operating stem will force theisks down to their lowermost position. and disengage the lug from theshallow notch in the end plate when the pad-holder will be automaticallyreturned to its working position.

By moving the latch down to its lower position it drops into notch 58and locks the machine against use.

The inking pad is made up of a number of independent sections, the endsections 65 being stationary in the holder, while the intermediatesections 66 are movable, and correspond in width to that of thenumbering disks, as shown in Fig. 2. The bottom part of the holder isprovided with a number of slots 67 in line with and corresponding to thenumber of pad-sections. A fastening screw 68 is inserted up through eachof said slots and engage the pad-sections and lock them in any positionto which they are capable of being moved. The space in the bottom of thepad-holder is of suflicient width to permit of any of the pad-sectionsbeing moved back away from inking contact with its particular numberingdisk. By this means any of the numbering disks, except the two end ones,may be cut out and the numbers thereon dropped in arranging for anydesired combination of numerals as may be required in practical use. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claimis 1. In anumbering-machine, the actuating pawls, a movable rod, a plate suspendedtherefrom and having its lower end positioned to temporarily engage andhold said pawl-s stationary, and means for moving said plate into andout of engagement with reference to said pawls.

2. In a numbering-machine, the actuating pawls, .a rod having both anendwise and a turning movement. a plate carried by said rod and havingthe lower end thereof stop in position to be in and away from engagementwith said pawls for locking the same away from their operativeconnection and means for controlling the position of said plate.

3. In a numbering-machine, the actuating pawls, a movable rod having itsrespective ends supported in the inclosing casing, a

plate suspended from said rod and having its lower free end bifurcated,one part extending outward and is then bent upward against the outsideof said casing and the other part extending downward and held normallyin a position to be temporarily moved into engagement with said pawlswhen disengaging the same from their working position, and means forholding said plate in its locking position. i

4. In a numbering-machine, the actuating pawls, one of which has ashoulder formed thereon, a movable rod, a plate suspended therefrom andhaving the lower end bifurcated one part being turned upward inengagement with the casing, the other prongpart being positioned to bemoved into engagement with said shoulder when disengaging said pawlsfrom their operative connection, a spring mounted on said rod betweenthe wall of the casing and said plate and imparting an endwise movementto said rod in bringing said prong into the path of said shoulder andmeans for locking said rod against an endwise movement and holding. saidprong free from engagement with said shoulder.

5. Ina numbering machine, an inking padholder provided with notches inthe respective flanged ends thereof which have overhanging hook edges,and the end-bars of the reciprocating frame-part provided with integrallugs loosely engaging said notches, said. hook-edges having anoverlapping bearing on said lugs.

6. In a numbering-machine, an inkingpad-holder having rounded flangedends and a shallow recess formed in one of said flanges, and avertically moving frame part provided on its respective end-bars withintegral lugs. one of said lugs being positioned to engage said recessin looking said holder in its high est out of the way position.

7. In a numbering-machine, an inking pad-holder provided in its bottompart with a numberof slots, an inking pad divided into a number ofindependent sections which are located in line with said slots andadapted to be moved away from and back to an inking position, and meansfor locking said sections at any point along the line of said slots.

8. In a numbering-machine, a pad-holder having slots formed in thebottom-part thereof, an inking-pad composed of a number of independentmovable sections and means for locking said sections at any point alongthe line of said slots.

9. In a numbering-machine, a rocking pad-holder having rounded flangedends, one

of said ends being provided with a notch and 5 a shoulder spaced apart,and a latch having a pivoted adjustment and adapted to be moved intoposition to engage said notch and lock the machine against working, orengage i said shoulder in limiting the movement of 20 said holderoutwardly.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnessesvWILLIAM C. DOWNING.

